Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov has urgently dispatched the heads of the Emergency Ministry and the Ministry of Ecology to the regional center of Abai to coordinate firefighting efforts, reports infohub.kz.
By order of the prime minister, Emergency Minister Chingis Arinov and Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Erlan Nysanbayev immediately traveled to the region. They have been tasked with overseeing the response to the wildfire in the Semey Ormany reserve.
"Measures have been ordered to strengthen rapid fire prevention and protect nearby settlements. As of 4:00 PM on July 16, over 400 personnel and around 100 pieces of equipment are involved in firefighting. Water drops totaling over 100 tons have been carried out," the government said.
The work of the operational headquarters is under the personal supervision of the prime minister.
Earlier reports indicated that a forest fire broke out on the morning of July 16 in the Abai region within the Semey Ormany area. Ground equipment and aviation were deployed to fight the blaze. Later, police confirmed that 190 children and 20 staff members were evacuated from the DosbolLike children's camp due to the fire. Police continue to ensure security in the emergency zone.